June 2025 | Page 11 of 37

World Fencing Bigwigs Set to Attend 23rd African Championships in Lagos

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Top officials from the International Fencing Federation (FIE) are set to grace the 23rd African Fencing Championships, taking place in Lagos, Nigeria, from June 25 to 29, 2025. Leading the FIE delegation are Vice President Novak Perovic and Secretary General Gulnora Saidova, alongside other global dignitaries. The five-day, 12-event tournament will be hosted at Charterhouse Lagos in Lekki, with Olympic and World Champions expected to compete. The event underscores Nigeria’s growing prominence in the international fencing community. Among the high-ranking officials already in Lagos are Ndaiye Mbagnick, President of the African Fencing Confederation, and Patricia Aiyenuro, President of the British Fencing Federation They will be joined by key figures from the Nigeria Fencing Federation, including Adeyinka Samuel, President; Babatunde Soyoye, Chairman of the Board; Obinna Anyanwu, Vice Chairman; and Rachael Samuel, Vice President. According to the organisers, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will officially open the tournament on Wednesday, June 25. Over 150 athletes from across the continent will compete for glory, with host nation Nigeria aiming to end its medal drought on home soil. The management of Charterhouse Lagos has assured participants of a world-class experience in a welcoming and professional environment. “A professional, welcoming, international facility with high-level organisation, efficiency, and a world-class experience. We aim for visiting fencers to be impressed, possibly surprised, and to take away a lasting impression of just what can be achieved here in Lagos, Nigeria,” said Angela Hencher, Chief Operating Officer, Charterhouse Lagos.

Africa’s Top Fencers Light Up Lagos for 23rd African Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago06 mins

Lagos, Nigeria’s vibrant commercial capital, is set to host over 150 of the continent’s finest fencers for the 23rd African Fencing Championships, taking place from June 25 to 29, 2025. This prestigious five-day, 12-event tournament will unfold at Charterhouse Lagos, the first British independent school in West Africa. The event will be officially declared open by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, June 25. This year’s championship promises high-stakes drama and elite competition, with 50 women and 100 men from 18 nations vying for continental glory. It also marks another milestone for Charterhouse Lagos, which successfully hosted Nigeria’s first Fencing World Cup in 2024. The action kicks off on Wednesday, June 25 at the Centre of Excellence, with athletes competing in both individual and team events. The tournament will feature a thrilling mix of regional, continental, Olympic, and world champions. Preliminary rounds will build up to intense medal showdowns, highlighting a dynamic blend of rising stars and seasoned veterans. Stars to Watch With medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games competing in every category, fans can expect fierce rivalries and world-class performances. Picking a favourite will be no easy task as Africa’s elite fencers clash in a celebration of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. Men’s Épée The men’s individual épée promises a fierce contest, headlined by Mohamed El-Sayed of Egypt, the 22-year-old bronze medalist from Paris 2024 and defending African champion. He’ll face stiff competition from his younger brother, Mahmoud El-Sayed, the reigning world junior champion. Also in the mix is Shamel Youssef (ranked 10th in junior men’s épée), alongside fellow Egyptians Osama Eslam and Elkord Houssam. Egypt’s dominance in this category makes them the team to beat in the men’s team épée. Women’s Épée Defending champion Alexandra Ndolo of Kenya, a 38-year-old Germany-based fencer, will be aiming to retain her title. She faces strong challenges from Tunisian and Egyptian contenders in what promises to be a tightly contested event. Men’s Sabre In the men’s sabre, all eyes will be on Ferjani Fares of Tunisia, world No. 3 and silver medalist at Paris 2024. He’ll be challenged by Egypt’s Mohamed Amer (2024 African champion) and Adham Moataz (2024 silver medalist). Nigeria’s rising star, 17-year-old Brou Inkosi, will also be in the hunt, adding local excitement to the mix. Women’s Sabre Defending champion Lorina Essomba of Cameroon will need to be at her best to fend off a strong Egyptian contingent. Expect fast-paced action and tactical brilliance in this category. Men’s Foil Egypt’s Mohamed Hamza, the defending champion, will face a major challenge from compatriot Tolba Abdelrahman, the current world junior No. 1. Their potential gold medal clash could be one of the highlights of the tournament. Women’s Foil Egypt’s Yara Elsharkawy, 26, is the one to beat. After clinching double gold (individual and team) at the 2024 African Championships in Morocco, she returns to defend her titles in Lagos. Team Events Egypt remains the dominant force in both men’s and women’s team events, especially in foil and épée. Their women’s squad will aim to retain titles across all three weapons: foil, épée, and sabre. Tunisia’s men’s sabre team, the reigning champions, will need to be at their best to fend off a star-studded Egyptian lineup. Home Team Spotlight: Nigeria Nigeria’s 12-man squad heads into the African Fencing Championships with a determination to break their medal drought at the continental showpiece. For many team members, the tournament presents a crucial opportunity to earn valuable ranking points in their quest to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The team features a dynamic blend of foreign-based and homegrown talent and stands out as one of the youngest contingents in the competition. Leading the charge is Inkosi Brou, Nigeria’s highest-ranked fencer, whose presence adds both experience and excitement to the youthful lineup.

Iran Defends Missile Strike on US Base in Qatar as Self-Defence Under UN Charter

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Iran has defended its missile strike on the United States’ Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, describing it as a lawful act of self-defence under international law. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday that the attack was a direct response to the “unprovoked aggression” by the United States, which bombed three of Iran’s nuclear facilities on Sunday. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Baghaei invoked Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which permits member states to exercise the right to self-defence in the event of an armed attack. He emphasized that Iran remains committed to peaceful relations with its regional neighbours, but accused the US of deliberately trying to sow discord in the Middle East. “The Islamic Republic of Iran values regional cooperation and stability, but will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty against any form of aggression,” Baghaei wrote. The missile strike on Al Udeid—the largest US military base in the Middle East—marked a dramatic escalation in tensions following the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, and comes amid heightened fears of a wider regional conflict.

Iran Denies Missile Launch as Israel Accuses Tehran of Ceasefire Violation

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered “intense strikes” on the Iranian capital, Tehran, after accusing Iran of violating a truce brokered by the United States and Qatar Iran has denied Israeli claims that it fired missiles toward Israel in breach of the newly brokered ceasefire agreement, according to state-affiliated IRIB broadcaster and the ISNA news agency. The denial follows statements by Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, accusing Iran of violating the truce and ordering “intense strikes” on targets in Tehran in response. Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli media reported that the military had intercepted two ballistic missiles launched from Iranian territory shortly after the ceasefire took effect. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said air defense systems were activated to neutralize the threat. Iranian officials, however, have rejected the accusation, insisting that they remain committed to the terms of the ceasefire and did not initiate any new military action. With both sides trading claims and denials, concerns are mounting over the future of the fragile truce, which had been hailed internationally as a major breakthrough in halting the 12-day conflict. Diplomats are now urging restraint and verification of facts before escalation resumes.

Ceasefire Breached: Iran Launches Missile at Israel, IDF Activates Air Defenses

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Tensions flared once again on Tuesday as Israeli media reported that a missile was launched from Iran toward Israeli territory, just hours after the recently agreed ceasefire between both nations came into effect. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that missile alerts were triggered and air defense systems were activated to intercept the projectile. Initial reports did not confirm if the missile caused any damage or casualties. Reacting swiftly, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned of retaliation, declaring, “Tehran will tremble.” The incident comes amid hopes of de-escalation following the announcement of a dual-phase ceasefire deal brokered between Iran and Israel, widely dubbed the “12-Day War” truce. Under the agreement, Iran was to begin a 12-hour ceasefire, followed by Israel, culminating in a full cessation of hostilities. It remains unclear how this breach will affect the fragile truce, but Israeli officials have vowed a response. International observers now fear the return of open conflict if diplomatic efforts to salvage the ceasefire fail.

States Take Charge: Nigeria’s Power Sector Enters New Era Amid Decentralisation Push

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Nigeria’s electricity landscape is undergoing a major transformation as seven states—Enugu, Ondo, Ekiti, Imo, Oyo, Edo, and Kogi—officially assume full regulatory control over their electricity markets, in line with the Electricity Act 2023 signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. This landmark reform marks a shift from the long-standing, centrally managed electricity sector, giving sub-national governments the authority to independently generate, transmit, distribute, and regulate electricity within their jurisdictions. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), previously the sole regulator, will now serve a diminished role, providing only oversight to states that haven’t transitioned. According to NERC, at least 11 states have begun the decentralisation process, with Lagos, Ogun, Niger, and Plateau expected to finalise their transitions between June and September. Anambra State has also passed its electricity law and is setting up its regulatory agency. While many experts and stakeholders have welcomed the move as a much-needed push towards true federalism, energy market competitiveness, and improved service delivery, concerns remain about state readiness. Industry insiders warn of capacity gaps, regulatory inexperience, and a lack of technical expertise that could hamper the success of the new state-managed electricity markets. “There’s a serious manpower issue,” a senior NERC official told The PUNCH. “States may not yet grasp the full implications of managing their own electricity markets, especially when it comes to technical operations like tariff setting or enforcement.” States are expected to create new electricity regulatory commissions to license operators and monitor distribution companies. In Enugu, the state has already begun enforcement, even sanctioning a local distribution firm, MainPower Electricity Distribution Ltd, for overbilling. Lagos has also made strides by issuing its first regulatory order under the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC), asserting control over all intrastate electricity activities. Consumer advocates have raised red flags about the possible creation of “regulatory vacuums” in states that have taken over without setting up solid frameworks. Others fear the politicisation of power pricing, subsidy management, and consumer protection. Still, proponents like PowerUp Nigeria’s Adetayo Adegbemle argue the reform is a necessary leap forward. “Decentralisation will open the door for private investment and tailored solutions to local electricity needs,” he said. “But states must act quickly to build institutions, protect consumers, and avoid regulatory confusion.” The development is being hailed as a step toward realising the economic potential of the country’s power sector, long plagued by inefficiencies and poor service delivery. Experts warn, however, that success will hinge on collaboration between state and federal actors, as well as a shared commitment to capacity building, transparency, and innovation.

Iran Launches Missile Attack on US Al Udeid Base in Qatar in Retaliation for Nuclear Strikes

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed launching a retaliatory missile strike on the United States’ Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, in response to the recent American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The operation, codenamed “Annunciation of Victory”, was reported by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency on Monday. Eyewitnesses in Doha reported loud explosions and visible flares in the sky, indicating the activation of air defence systems. Qatar’s Defence Ministry announced that its forces successfully intercepted the incoming projectiles, preventing any casualties or major damage. The ministry credited the interception to “the vigilance of the armed forces and precautionary measures taken.” While Iran has vowed a broad response to the US-Israeli strikes that targeted its Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, the scale and intent of Monday’s attack remain unclear. “This may be just the beginning of Iran’s retaliation,” said Al Jazeera’s Tehran correspondent Ali Hashem, noting uncertainty around whether this would escalate into a broader confrontation or remain a symbolic act. Analysts speculate the attack may have been choreographed to avoid escalation, potentially mirroring Iran’s restrained retaliation in 2020 after the US assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. However, officials have not confirmed such coordination, and the situation remains volatile, with fears growing that the Gulf could become another active theatre in the widening regional conflict.

Israel Kills At Least 43 Palestinians in Gaza, Including 13 Aid Seekers

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Gaza City – At least 43 Palestinians have been killed in fresh Israeli attacks on Gaza since Monday morning, according to local medical sources, pushing the total death toll since the start of the war to over 56,000. Among the dead are 13 civilians killed while attempting to access food aid at controversial distribution centres in the besieged enclave. The victims were reportedly gathered near facilities operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israeli-backed NGO whose operations have been condemned by the United Nations for the “weaponisation” of humanitarian aid. Human rights groups say Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted these sites, calling them “human slaughterhouses” due to the frequency and scale of civilian casualties. Since the GHF began aid distributions on May 27, Israeli strikes near its centres have killed more than 400 people and wounded around 1,000 others, according to Palestinian officials. Monday’s attacks mark another grim chapter in a worsening hunger crisis, with many Gazans risking their lives daily to feed their families amid reports of famine in several parts of the territory. Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, described the attacks as part of Israel’s ongoing multi-front strategy. “While it engages in direct conflict with Iran, Israel continues its daily killing of Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, launching deadly air strikes on tents and residential homes,” he said.